Council advice
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Goulburn Mulwaree Council is advising residents in Goulburn Mulwaree to be prepared for any potential flooding, with heavy rain forecast for the area in the coming days.
The Bureau of Meteorology issued a flood warning for the Goulburn area on Monday, with predictions of up to 150mm of rain to fall in the area this week.
Goulburn Mulwaree Mayor Geoff Kettle urged residents to follow any directions given to them by members of the SES or other emergency services over the coming days.
Mayor Geoff Kettle speaking to the Post at 7am Wednesday morning
“We have been monitoring the situation since Monday afternoon, and have been in regular contact with the local SES unit,” Cr Kettle said.
“It appears that the heaviest rain will fall on Wednesday, and indications are that the hazard potential could be as bad as 2010. On Monday night, members of the local SES unit doorknocked the houses that were affected by the December 2010 flood, and Tuesday morning they doorknocked across Eastgrove.
“In anticipation of possible flooding Goulburn Mulwaree Council will make sand and sand bags available to help protect properties. Anyone requiring sand bags should make their way to the Hetherington Street Council depot after 1pm today and the Hetherington St depot will be open until 7pm tonight for those people genuinely needing sandbags."
“I cannot stress enough how important it is for residents to follow the directions issued by the SES or NSW Police.
“It is also extremely important that people don’t drive or go into flood water for any reason, as this is when accidents happen. There is the potential for sewage, snakes and other hazards to be in the water, so please, stay out. I also ask that people don’t gather in the affected areas to take photos; the job of the emergency services is difficult enough without people unnecessarily blocking traffic or getting in the way.
“If you need assistance of any kind, the only number you should call is the SES on 132 500.
“Staff in our water services and works business units are preparing for any impacts the rains and potential flooding may have on our critical infrastructure,” Cr Kettle said.
“Council’s duty officers and other relevant staff have been alerted to this flood warning, and our staff at the Sewage Treatment Plant in Ross St have been preparing for the additional water which comes through the stormwater system during times of heavy rain.
“Motorists should be very careful, particularly with any water sheeting across the road from overflowing stormwater drains, or if they’re driving on rural roads which may have debris washed across the surface.
“There are a number of roads which are subject to inundation especially in the Eastgrove area, including Park Road and the Blackshaw Road underpass. There are automatic boomgates at the Blackshaw Rd underpass, so we ask motorists who may be driving through that area to be aware of this,” Cr Kettle said.
The rain has also forced Council to temporarily close the southbound lane of Union St, Goulburn, which is currently undergoing rehabilitation works, from 5pm Tuesday 28 February. Detours are in place, and Council asks that motorists follow all traffic control measures in the area. Any other road closures which may occur due to flooding will be advertised on Goulburn Mulwaree Council’s website, on the Goulburn Post website and on local radio.
If you see any damage or debris on any of Council’s roads, please report it to Council on 4823 4444 or on the after-hours number of 4822 1080, or you can go to the www.reportahazard.com.au website.
SES preparations
‘The weather forecast is for very heavy rain across the region over the next few days’ said SES Deputy Region Controller Kevin Anderson ‘and with the heavy rain comes the potential for flooding similar to that experienced in 2010’.
The Goulburn SES has been preparing for any eventuality and this has included door-knocking areas along the Wollondilly River including the Avoca Street and PCYC areas to warn of the possibility of flooding, and have been busily preparing sandbags.
In anticipation of possible flooding Goulburn Council will make sand and sand bags available to help protect properties. Anyone requiring sand bags should make their way to the Hetherington Street Council depot after 1pm today.
To protect your home and property:
• Keep reading the Goulburn Post website and listening to local radio for updated advice and warnings
• Raise household possessions onto benches, tables or other high places remembering to place electrical equipment on top;
• Secure any objects that could float and cause damage;
• Relocate waste and chemical containers well above floor level;
• Locate important papers and secure them in your Emergency Kit;
• Business managers should raise stock, records and equipment. Employees should be able to get home before roads are closed.
• Rural property owners should move livestock and farm equipment, relocate pumps, chemicals and feed to higher ground. If isolation is likely have enough non-perishable food, medication and fuel to last a week.
In the event of flooding the Goulburn Council website will advise of road closures as they are announced and, as with the 2010 floods, the Goulburn Post website will also carry that information.
Further updates from the Bureau of Meteorology will also be posted on our site as they become available.
Flood waters may be faster and deeper than you think and may contain rubbish and other dangerous items. NEVER drive, walk, ride or enter flood waters.
In life threatening emergencies, call 000.
For emergency help in floods and storms contact the SES on 132 500.